ED proud 'elections were peaceful' - but even he dropped 'free, fair and credible'

Tyrannical regimes are hard to change because they not only brainwash the populous but worse still they brainwash themselves - they start to believe their own lies and propaganda - making it next to impossible to reason with them.

"Our country has since independence remained as one of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in the region," said President Mnangagwa.

"Today's celebrations come just two weeks after the country's crucial harmonised general elections. These were held in a peaceful environment where our citizens were able to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.

"Allow me to extent my sincere appreciation to the whole of Zimbabwe for observing peace before, during and after the harmonised election. This has made us a proud nation."

Until a few years ago, the regime was still boasting of Zimbabwe being the "most prosperous" country in the region. With the country now confirmed as the poorest nation in Africa the regime has quietly dropped all reference to the country's economic performance.

Still with unemployment soaring to dizzying heights of 90% and 75% of the population now living on US$1.00 or less a day it is not surprising that many Zimbabweans have left the country. At least 30% of the country's population are political and/or economic refugees or illegal migrants, who will be shocked to hear Zimbabwe is the most stable country in the region.

On the political front, Zimbabwe has never ever held free, fair and credible elections. President Mnangagwa has been at the head of Zanu PF's culture of political violence; the intimidation, harassment, beatings, rape and even cold blooded murder of political opponents. Yes, compared to 2008 and 2013 elections, these elections were peaceful.

It is interesting to note that until a few weeks before voting day 30 July 2018, President Mnangagwa had insisted these elections would be "peaceful, free, fair and credible." He has since dropped everything else only to focus on peaceful.

He knows that no one in their right mind would ever judge elections in which there was no free public media, no verified voters' roll, were Zanu PF robbed the nation blind to bankroll its vote rigging schemes, etc. free, fair and credible. Of course, Zanu PF rigged the elections.

President Mnangagwa, by rigging these elections you have just confirmed that Zimbabwe is still the pariah state of the Mugabe era, you have been trying hard to distance yourself since last November's coup. You have just dashed all the hopes of the desperately needed economic recovery because no investors want to do business with vote-rigging thugs.

As the reality of very little inward investment and worsen economic situation sink in there will be a new wave of Zimbabweans leaving the country and it will be just a matter of time before those remaining go on the street to protest the inhuman economic hardship they are facing.

Zimbabwe is the most unstable country in SADC and its continued instability is now a serious threat to the development and stability of the whole region. What is there for you, President Mnangagwa, and us, the people of Zimbabwe, to be proud of in being one of the "shit-hole" of Africa, as US President Donald Trump would put it!